Today Rabbi Nagen (Genack) came to the OU office to visit as he is in from Israel. My uncle and I were overjoyed. He brought his new sefer, Nishmat HaMishna, with him. He told us a moving story – that on the Friday night before Dafna Meir a”h was murdered, he gave a drasha on the importance to not let time “machmitz” – elongate – but rather to take action and effectuate change immediately. The next morning Dafna Meir a”l told my cousin that his “drasha” had a great impact on her and that she now adapted such a stance realizing the need to take action immediately with the knowledge that every moment counts. Indeed, for the last full day of her life she mastered the moment and must have lived every moment to the fullest. (How many of us even contemplate this in our lifetime?) The next day she was murdered. Rabbi Nagen dedicated the book to a few people and she was one of them.

Rav Avrohom told me the following drash on the Gemara in Sukkah 21b. The Gemara says that “where do we know that you can learn from even the ordinary talk of talmidei chachamim” – and the Gemara brings a verse as a proof. Rav Avrohom said based on drash we can say the Gemara is also saying – “what is the ordinary speech of talmidei chachamim?” – “that one must continually learn.”

Many of Rav Avrohom’s shiurim dealt with sfekos. Learning the Shev Shmaysa last night, I came across an incredible language by the Shev Shmaysa where he questions a Rashba’s distinction on a Gemara (with great humility). The Rashba distinguishes between “a new change that occurs” versus a Toldah – where the change was either there or not. This is the beginning of the Shmaysa where he discusses the overall machloket between the Rambam and Rashba regarding safek D’orita LeChumra. Perhaps some have a sevarah for how the Rashba learned.

Rav Avrohom told me over at the Shabbos table the following insight. In Eishet Chayil we say “gemalto tov velo rah” – it’s fully good and not bad.” Being that this statement is going on Torah as well, the axiom would be saying that the Torah is purely good and not bad. Rav Avrohom asked if it’s purely good then by inference it’s not bad making the verse superfluous. He answered by analogy. He said sometimes you have a dish with many ingredients in it and the final product has good but also inferior tastes to it. However, with the Torah, not only is it good but it has no “rah” in it. It’s perfect.

I’ve been dating someone for about three months. On our latest date, I felt disconnected and withdrawn from her on the date. In general, we have a decent connection, but today was different. The date wasn’t amazing, but it also wasn’t terrible. Still, I’m afraid of continuing because I’m starting to feel distance between us. I’m now starting to doubt the future of this relationship and question whether we are compatible.

There are two key points that lead me to this conclusion:

We have different backgrounds. I feel like we can’t connect on an emotional level because we hang out in different crowds. How important is it that we have a similar circle of friends?

I don’t feel like there is depth to our relationship. We go out, have a nice time, talk on the phone, send texts, etc. We haven’t had an intentional discussion about our long-term goals, what we need vs. want in a spouse, what our strengths and weaknesses are, or our hopes and dreams for the future.

I asked her if she would be open to the next date being a schmooze date instead of an activity date. She agreed to that. I’m all set to have a mindful discussion. Any pointers on how to have this discussion from a place of curiosity and interest instead of fear and judgment?

From,
Mr. Doubtful It Will Work

Dear Doubtful,

A client of mine once told me a joke: Sincerity is everything. If you can fake that, you’ve got it made!

But seriously, the best way to approach your upcoming conversation would be to come from a place of sincerity instead of a place of fear. You mentioned several key points that I want to address.

1. Disconnection and distance. Couples are expected to have times of connection and time of disconnection. You mentioned that you generally feel like you have a decent connection, but recently you experienced a feeling of distance. You should expect some ebb and flow to happen in all relationships. If this was your only concern, I would tell you to dismiss it at this point and encourage you to continue dating. As long as you’re connected more often than not, I don’t see this as a serious problem. As a guideline, I like to see couples connected around 80% of the time and allow for healthy space 20% of the time.

2. Fear of continuing. Fear of continuing in a relationship because of the uncertainty of the future is very common. Some singles will end things after just one or two dates for this reason. I’m glad you allowed yourself to develop the relationship further and see what there truly is between you two. While fear is a normal, healthy response, it is also one which we should combat with time. Only time will reveal what is truly there in a relationship. Perhaps your fears are founded, and it’s time to end the relationship. Or perhaps in time you will see that the distance between you two is normal and a healthy way of maintaining your relationship. Take note of how often you’re feeling connected and how often you’re feeling disconnected. In particular, try to note if anything happened to create those feelings. The more information you have about your relationship, the more fairly and honestly you can evaluate whether to continue or break up.

3. Different backgrounds. Great question! Not everyone gets to marry the girl next door. Not everyone wants to! In general, I believe that it makes a relationship easier if you have more things in common. Having different backgrounds or friends can sometimes work. On a practical level, are there any couples you could envision the two of you spending time with and both enjoying? Making friends with another couple is often nearly as challenging as finding your soul mate. What I hear you asking, though, is a deeper question. I hear you asking whether your choice in friends indicates value differences rather than preferences. You may be onto something.

Take a look at what she values in her friends. Why does she choose those friends? Then ask yourself why you choose your friends. Some people choose friends to relax and hang out with. Some prefer people with whom they can connect on a deeper level. Others choose friends by sense of humor and hobbies. On your next date, try to identify a few key values related to how she chooses friends, and share with her how and why you choose the friends you do. I think you’ll find it more helpful to see if your values match up than if your specific circles of friends do.

4. Sharing hopes and dreams. This is an interesting topic. While these things do matter, your dreams and goals are not reality; they are simply thoughts. Keep in mind that while you want to align yourself with someone who will be right for your future, it’s also important to align yourself with someone who is right for you now. A good way to elicit what you want to know about someone is to first provide that information to them. Lead the way by telling her something about your hopes and dreams for the future, and then ask her how she sees things. Be careful not to share only the things that you think you feel the same way about. It’s fine to have a different vision or goal for the future. The more honest, open, vulnerable and real you are with your date, the more you two can evaluate whether or not this is a good match.

I believe you are asking sincere questions; the answers will require you to spend more time in your current relationship in order to come to an authentic conclusion. I’d much rather you date a little longer to figure it all out than cut things off too soon out of fear. Don’t be afraid that you are leading someone on when you aren’t 100% into them. Date with intention and sincerity and you won’t be leading anyone on. Be curious about your future together and ask more questions to discover your true level of interest.

When you bring the relationship to a deeper level you will be able to evaluate your real concerns and then either move things forward or end the relationship–without ever having to look back in doubt.

We went to a gathering on Shabbos together in someone’s apartment. Rav Avrohom stood in the back with me. Suddenly, they saw he was standing in the back and grabbed him and put him in the front at the table.

When I traveled across Eretz Yisroel with Rav Avrohom for his Bein Hazmanim shiurim, he would personally review my notes to see that they were accurate.

A rabbi from one of my yeshiva’s asked if I could bring back some Torah from Rav Avrohom. After Shabbos he wrote down the drasha he gave on Shabbos for this rabbi.